Donald Trump Takes Victory Lap In First Congressional Address Of Second Term.
Six weeks into his second presidency, Donald Trump addressed a Republican-controlled US Capitol, delivering a speech filled with self-praise, policy updates, and political jabs.
“We have accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations did in four or eight years, and we are just getting started,” Trump declared to a joint session of Congress. In his usual flamboyant style, he claimed that many considered his presidency the most successful start in US history, pointing to a resurgence in national pride and confidence.
Boasting Achievements and Policy Changes
Trump listed several accomplishments, including:
– Hundreds of executive orders and actions
– A freeze on foreign aid
– A decrease in illegal border crossings
– Withdrawal from international agreements
– Bans on transgender athletes in women’s sports
– Efforts to remove “woke ideology” from schools and the military
“Wokeness is trouble. Wokeness is bad. It’s gone, it’s gone, and we feel so much better for it, don’t we?” he said, drawing applause from Republicans while Democrats sat in silence, holding signs that read “false” and “lies”.
Tensions and Disruptions in the Chamber
Tensions escalated when Democrat Al Green interrupted Trump’s speech, shouting while waving his cane. House Speaker Mike Johnson called for decorum, and the House Sergeant-at-Arms removed Green from the chamber. Speaking to reporters outside, Green said he was protesting cuts to Medicaid.
Promises for the Future
After detailing his early successes, Trump outlined his future priorities, which included:
– Boosting the economy, blaming Joe Biden for rising costs
– A crackdown on government spending, pledging to cut waste and fraud
– More aggressive immigration enforcement
– New tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, despite warnings of price hikes
– Balancing the budget, though without detailing spending cuts
He also name-dropped Elon Musk, suggesting his newly created Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) would combat inflation by reducing unnecessary expenditures.
Foreign Policy: Bold Statements and Surprising Alliances
Foreign policy was briefly mentioned, with Trump reaffirming his controversial stance on international relations:
– Renewed interest in annexing Greenland
– A push for US control of the Panama Canal
– Limited discussion on Gaza and the Middle East
– Stronger negotiations with Russia over Ukraine
He read a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressing willingness to work with Trump’s administration.
A Speech That Divided the Chamber
Trump’s speech lasted over an hour and 40 minutes, setting a modern record for length. As he wrapped up, Republicans cheered, while Democrats quickly exited the chamber.
His address reflected the same polarisation as his presidency—celebrated by supporters and criticised by opponents, ensuring that his second term remains as turbulent and unpredictable as the first.
